THE BRITISH ISLES AND NORDIC NATIONS Chapter 15 A LITTLE CONFUSING…. ¡ UK refers to the political union between the countries. -Sovereign state but nations are also individual countries. -Includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. ¡ Great Britain is the official collective name of England, Scotland, and Wales. ¡ British Isles-Geographical term relating to England, Ireland, and 5000 surrounding islands. -Only refers to geography, not nationality. A LITTLE CONFUSING…. ENGLAND ENGLAND ¡ The largest island in the British Isles is Great Britain. ¡ England is the most densely populated area in the British Isles. -80% of region’s population lives here. ¡ Landscape is made up of 3 areas: 1. Highlands-band of hills running along England’s west coast. 2. Midlands-coal that fueled the Industrial Revolution. 3. Lowlands-productive farms. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES ¡ Coal fields and iron ore. -Most coal was used up in industrial revolution. -Now get oil and gas from North Sea for fuel. ¡ Brought wealth to the region. ¡ Was the world’s industrial leader for years. -Challenged by US and Germany. ¡ UK was a member of European Union but reluctant to adopt Euro. -Brexit-in 2016 UK left the European Union, voted to leave by 51% of population. GOVERNMENT ¡ House of Commons-lower house, elected officials ¡ House of Lords-upper house, inherited their seat or appointed by monarch, hold seat for life. ¡ Palace of Westminster-where the UK parliament meets. -Built in 1016. -Oldest part still used is Westminster Hall built in 1097. ¡ Big Ben-nickname of the clock/clock tower/bell of Palace of Westminster. -Official name is Elizabeth Tower renamed after Queen Elizabeth in 2012. PALACE OF WESTMINSTER SCOTLAND AND WALES SCOTLAND ¡ Scotland occupies about 1/3 of land in UK but less than 10% of people live there. ¡ Cheviot Hills and Tweed River separate it from England. ¡ 3 regions: 1. Northern Highlands-high plateau with many lakes called lochs. 2. Central Lowlands-75% of people live here. 3. Southern Uplands-sheep-raising region. WALES ¡ Peninsula of the island of Great Britain. -Size of Massachusetts and landscape similar to Scotland. ¡ Most of the 2.9 million people speak English, but 20% speak Welsh as their first language. ¡ Sit in parliament and some have risen to high office officials. THE TWO IRELANDS THE TWO IRELANDS ¡ Divided into two parts: Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. ¡ Celtic tribes settled here in 300 BC. ¡ In 1066, Normans seized land and tried to control the Celts. -King of England declared himself Lord of Ireland. ¡ Potato famine hit in 1840s and destroyed potatoes year after year. -Most people relied on potatoes as major source of nutrition and 1 million died of starvation. -Blamed England for not providing enough aid. THE TWO IRELANDS ¡ Rebellions divided Ireland into two parts. ¡ 6 northeast counties remained part of the UK and rest became a free state under British supervision. ¡ Half of Northern Ireland’s people are Protestant and most of the rest are Catholic. -Catholics want reunification of Ireland and Protestants do not. -Extremists have tried to use violence to win control of Northern Ireland. THE NORDIC NATIONS THE NORDIC NATIONS ¡ People of Northern Europe call the land “Norden” from and ancient word meaning “Northlands”. -Called Nordic nations in English. ¡ Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. ¡ Some parts reach past the Artic Circle into the polar zone. ¡ Collection of peninsulas and islands. THE NORDIC NATIONS ¡ Long winters and short summers. -Midwinter-sun shines 2-3 hours a day. -Midsummer-sun shines more than 20 hours. ¡ Winter is when aurora borealis, northern lights, shine the brightest. ¡ Mild climate. ¡ Democracies and mixed economies. -State-run daycare and state supported medical care. ¡ Neutral in foreign affairs. .